Fair to Good Depending

Norwegian Jewel Cruise Review to Panama Canal, Central America

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 53

Overall rating:

3 out of 5
Verified Review
Norwegian Jewel

16 Night Panama Canal Westbound (Miami To Los Angeles)

Sail date: January 20, 2017

Ship: Norwegian Jewel

Cabin type: Suite

Cabin number: 11066

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

The daylight transit of the canal was the high point of this cruise.  The cruise began poorly with very late boarding and little communication as to why.  There was not enough seating in the waiting area and very old people were standing.  Halfway thru the cruise passengers and crew began to drop from illness.  In at least 2 ports ambulances met the ship to unload passengers.  Service and food were subpar during most of the trip.  Only in the last 4 days were announcements regarding illness made and these were appeals to the crew to report illness immediately.  Passengers were on their own.  We have noticed that selling of products and promoting of shopping has reached a fever pitch.  Specialty restaurants have deteriorated in food quality as well as service.  Four of our 5 excursions were very good.  Puntarenas by boat, train and bus was horrible.  Train to nowhere and a guide who couldn't speak even rudimentary English.  My high school Spanish was better than her attempt at English.   Temperatures once we entered Mexico were cold.  Our balcony became useless the further north we went.  Seas became high and the wind blew the whole time from Chiapas north.  Don't take a Mexican Riviera cruise Jan-March.  I gave the cruise a 3 star because of the Panama Canal portion and the interesting south American countries.  The Mexican portion was bad.  Communication to passengers regarding reasons for cancellation of certain things was nil.  Exit from the boat in LA was delayed due to "congestion in the terminal" but it looked like incompetence all around.  I am sure people who boarded in LA for 2/5 cruise will have poor comments regarding boarding.  Transfer to the airport made us wish we had walked off and taken a taxi.  If you can do early walk off in the states do it.  You will be ahead of the game. 

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5
Food has become mediocre even in the specialty dining rooms.

Onboard Activities

See entertainment

Entertainment

1 out of 5
With so many sea days, the theater was always filled to capacity. I heard many passengers say the entertainment both in the showroom and that arranged by the social director was "juvenile".

Service and Staff

3 out of 5
If you have not cruised before you might think this is normal. We found it to be less than any cruise we have taken.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5
The boat itself was very nice. We like a smaller ship.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
The cabin was what we expected having sailed NCL before. The sofa was so hard I had to use a bed pillow to sit on. My husband said it was the worst sofa he has ever sat on. We tried not to sit on it at all.

Ship tip

The bridge viewing area on deck 11 was quiet during the canal transit and gave a good view into the locks. If you eat in the buffet which is always crowded head to Cucina for extra seating. Azura has a more relaxed dress code for dinner and the same menu as Tsar's palace.

Ports of call

Miami, Florida

3 out of 5
It was a stop off for us to have a day before departure.

Cartagena, Colombia

5 out of 5
The cruise into the old city was a break from bus tour.

Panama Canal Transit

5 out of 5
Since the transit takes all day, move around for different views as you progress. Deck 11 bridge viewing offers quiet.

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

1 out of 5
Don't waste your time on the hyped bus, train and boat trip. It was expensive and awful. Everyone was talking about how bad in the elevators that evening.

Puerto Corinto, Nicaragua

5 out of 5
We were happy with our guide and the stops.

Puerto Chiapas (Tapachula), Mexico

3 out of 5
The perfect combination tour was good, not great. They are a young port and the guide did her best with limited English. We enjoyed the tour.

Huatulco, Mexico

5 out of 5
No tour here, but we walked the town and enjoyed the quiet atmosphere.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

1 out of 5
A very large city and we were not impressed.

Mazatlan, Mexico

5 out of 5
We took the tour for lunch in a private residence and found it to be a restful and pleasant afternoon. The feel was relaxed and we enjoyed the conversations with fellow cruisers.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

3 out of 5
Great to walk the town. Very commercial. The area has grown and is not a place I would pick to vacation in the winter. Cool temps.

San Pedro (Los Angeles), California

1 out of 5
We grew up in CA so this was a exit to home. We did not tarry.
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